Neighborhood Meeting Minutes: September 2025

by

Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood Association 

Annual Meeting Minutes

DRAFT

Date: September 14th, 2025

Board Members: Steve Beckman (Secretary), Nella Davis-Ray (Communications), John Hays, Matthew Kazmierski (President), Denise Moore, Pat Poli, Alice Schehr (Treasurer), Mark Warner (Vice President)

Call to order: Matt Kazmierski called to order this annual meeting of the Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood Association at 5:11 pm ET on September 14th, 2025 at 252 Oakland Dr.

Roll Call:

  • Property owners from the following addresses were in attendance:
    • 136, 164, 205, 241 Maplewood
    • 108, 131, 136, 144, 147, 155, 158, 164, 205, 217, 219, 237, 245, 252, 261, 262, 274, 284 Oakland
    • 1511, 1547, 1561, 1603, 1625, 1635, 1645, 1707, 1715, 1724 Roseland
  • Quorum present: Yes – 32 of 94 property owners

Approval of Past Minutes

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the annual meeting held on September 8th, 2024 as presented. The motion carried without objection.

Treasurer Updates

  1. Alice Schehr stated the association’s current account balance is $1,481.61
  2. Nine replacement trees were purchased and planted in 2025 for a total of $2,537.40
    1. Eight Treegator slow-release watering bags were purchased for a total of $165.04
  3. Materials for the 2024 luminaries event (white paper bags, sand, resealable plastic bags, and candles) cost $326.00
    1. 2025 materials (new candles) will cost an estimated $180.75
  4. 2025 Garden Walk expenses were $240.00 for brochures and paper cups
    1. Donations totaled $1,791.50 and were deposited in the BHNA’s MSUFCU account
  5. Expenses for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and A2 web hosting totaled $199.88
  6. 2024 annual picnic expenses were $93.33

Tree Report

  1. The planting of species of maple trees is no longer permitted by the City of East Lansing. Replacement street trees in 2025 were either the Princeton American Elm, Green Vase Zelkova, or Male Ginko.
  2. Nine replacement street trees were purchased and planted in 2025: five Green Vase Zelkova, three Princeton American Elms (which are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease), and one Male Ginko
    1. Four Green Vase Zelkovas were purchased from Van Atta’s in the spring for $416.50 each, which included delivery, mulch, and planting fees
    2. The rest of the trees were purchased in the fall on sale from Van Atta’s and planted by neighborhood volunteers. The total cost for each of these trees was $174.28.
    3. Volunteers from the neighborhood are requested to help dig holes for future trees in order to avoid the fees for planting
    4. Treegator slow-release watering bags were purchased and applied to eight trees
  3. City of East Lansing arborist Andy Gordon inspected the neighborhood’s street trees in August and identified at least five trees that will need to be removed this fall or early next spring
  4. The City of East Lansing will prune the neighborhood’s street trees next summer and it’s anticipated that additional trees will be removed after further inspection
  5. It’s estimated that between eight and ten street trees will need to be replaced next year at a total cost of up to $3,000. Costs will be reduced if volunteers are able to plant them and if the trees can be purchased at sale prices.

Safety Report

  1. New neighborhood police officer is Jack Saylor
    1. Officer Saylor was not on duty and did not attend the meeting, nor did any other officers

Board Member Elections

  1. The three-year terms for Board members Matt Kazmierski, Pat Poli, and Mark Warner have expired and Elizabeth Hoffman’s term from 2024-2027 has been vacated
  2. Matt, Mike Benedict (147 Oakland), Judy Putnam (241 Maplewood), and Rhoda Wolff (1625 Roseland) were nominated by meeting attendees
    1. A motion was made and seconded to accept all four of the nominees. The motion carried without objection.

New Business

  1. Chelsea and Lily Beckman (1715 Roseland) presented information about the 2025 Garden Walk
    1. Eleven homes opened their gardens up to visitors and over 100 people attended
    2. The large amount of donations was unexpected
    3. Garden Walks will be held on a biannual basis with the next event in 2027

Open Discussion

  1. 100-year anniversary of the neighborhood in 2026
    1. Neighbors suggested organizing a special gathering to commemorate the anniversary next year

Adjournment

  • A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:49 pm ET. The motion carried without objection.

Minutes submitted by: Steve Beckman

Minutes approved by: TBD